2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this work is to determine the combined effects of aqueous extracts of cinnamon and chromium on glucose and insulin and related variables. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) TANG-AN will be responsible for developing products containing chromiun and cinnamon for testing in cell culture and animal and human studies. These products will be produced and tested in collaboration with ARS. ARS will assist with the characterization of the products used for testing in cell cultures, rats, and humans. Methods will be developed to quantitate the type-A polyphenols in the aqueous cinnamon extracts and existing methods will be used to quantitate the amount of chromium. Joint human studies will be conducted with the selection of the subjects and initial testing in the laboratory of TANG-AN with additional analyses in the ARS laboratory. All manuscripts will be with the approval of both parties. 3.Progress Report This Trust Agreement was designed to determine the individual and combined effects of cinnamon and chromium on glucose, insulin, and related variables. The beneficial effects of cinnamon are postulated to be related to the amounts and types of type-A polymers present. Therefore, studies were conducted to determine the amounts and types of type A polymers present in different cinnamons and effects on content of various methods of extraction. Cinnamaldehyde and coumarin contents of the various extracts were also evaluated. The best effects were observed using aqueous extracts with minimal heat. Monitoring activities include emails, phone calls, and at least two meetings each year between the lead scientist from the company in China and the USDA to discuss and evaluate the results. Biweekly group meetings are also held at Beltsville to evaluate the progress of the research.